Title :
The mini-dome lens space concentrator array: recent component test results and current array development status
Author :
O´Neill, M.J. ; McDanal, A.J. ; Perry, J.L. ; Flood, D.J. ; Piszczor, M.F. ; Swartz, C.K.
Author_Institution :
Entech Inc., Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, TX, USA
Abstract :
The development of a high-performance, lightweight space photovoltaic concentrator array is described. The array is the first space photovoltaic concentrator system to use a refractive optical concentrator in the form of a dome-shaped, point-focus, Fresnel lens. In addition, it is the first such concentrator system to utilize prismatic cell covers to eliminate gridline obscuration losses. By combining these array features with state-of-the-art gallium arsenide cell technology, array areal power values (in watts per square meter) well in excess of existing pace power system levels are anticipated. In addition, the array has the potential for extremely high specific power values (in watts per kilogram)
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; gallium arsenide; lenses; solar cell arrays; solar energy concentrators; space vehicle power plants; Fresnel lens; GaAs solar cells; dome-shaped lens; gridline obscuration losses; mini-dome lens; pace power system; point-focus lens; refractive optical concentrator; space photovoltaic concentrator array; space photovoltaic concentrator system; Gallium arsenide; Lenses; Optical arrays; Optical losses; Optical refraction; Photovoltaic systems; Power systems; Solar power generation; Space technology; Testing;
Conference_Titel :
Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, 1989. IECEC-89., Proceedings of the 24th Intersociety
Conference_Location :
Washington, DC
DOI :
10.1109/IECEC.1989.74566
